Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Is The 'Blogging' Honeymoon Over...

Today I read a comment on someones blog mentioning something about having a 'stale' blog.I think it was Janet over at Quiltsalott. Hhhhmm, I thought that was a good word. I have been thinking a lot lately about the changes I have been seeing in the blogging world. I first noticed a slight change after the first of the year, I thought well, maybe there were some New Year's resolutions made about cutting back or cutting out so much blogging. Slowly through these last few months I have seen some of my fellow bloggers dropping like flies. Some have just STOPPED blogging all together and a lot have cut W-A-Y back on the number of posts they do. It also seems to be the coming trend to all of a sudden to just stop replying to those who leave comments, even if it is something that blogger has always done in the past. So-o-o-o, is the 'honeymoon' over? Do you find blogging a 'chore'? Has the excitement and the lure of it lost it's luster? Do you think you put out 'stale' posts just because you feel obligated or pressured to?? Everyone talks of Blogging Without Obligation, but we still put pressure on ourselves and others. Do you want to take a break but feel you JUST CAN'T? Teresa from Stitchin Friends recently did a post laying out her new blogging schedule. Sarah from House of Krom has been talking about priorities with her family and less computer time. I have read countless others proclaiming they spend w-a-y too much time on the computer. A lot of bloggers are taking up Facebook instead of blogging....well, I don't think I find the Facebook that much fun. I find blogging more satisfying. Yes, I do have a Facebook account but don't go there much. I Twitter.....that is fun!. You can make quick little sentences about what you are doing through out the day and it only takes a second or two. I'm not finding fault in anyone about how they blog or how they spend their computer time. I have just been thinking about these changes I see.

So, what do you think? What is your take on things? Have you developed a way to manage your time between computing, family and your favorite projects? Is the 'honeymoon' over? Is blogging becoming 'stale'? Are we ready to go on to something new and different?

57 comments:

I enjoy reading blogs. Especially crafty or cooking blogs. My own blog is bland, but I haven't really gotten into the writing part. I can tell you that I love comments! Makes me feel like someone out there noticed and took the time to make a comment. Keep blogging! You're on my list!

Some thought provoking questions there.. I'm not tired of blogging but I do feel like I'm doing a lot of repeats.. too much about food and not enough about sewing but then I'm not doing much sewing.. things will probably change when the weather gets cold and no one is bush outdoors. I know for me, that I'll be having to find something crafty to do indoors and will be blogging about it.At this time of year I find it hard to be able to spend much time on the internet.. busy chopping and dicing garden stuff to freeze etc.

I really enjoy reading blogs. I start my mornings with a cup of tea, the Today show, and the latest blogging news from those I follow. I'm very much a creature of habit and I'm sure that it will be a long time before I'm no longer interested. I love getting comments on my posts since it shows that there are others who I may never meet, but who have some of the same interests that I do. As Michele said, "Keep blogging. You're on my list."

I think I am one of those who has cut way back recently. I go through phases where I want to blog every day and phases where I don't want to. It goes up and down. I'm up right now, so feel free to click over! I've never responded to all my comments, but they are very important to me.

I like the flexibility blogs provide compared to facebook or Twitter. I'm all about the pictures, so I read blogs with photos and I try not to post without them. I reply to some comments but not all of them and I don't often comment when someone already has dozens and dozens of comments. I think blogging can suck up a lot of time, and I try not to let it. other than that, I don't have good answers/suggestions for you.

I love to blog and read them, but this needs a tremendous amount of time, especially when there are kids standing there and waiting for you.And blogging has a honeymoon, I agree, but later priorities come and go just like the sea. So I'm here, waiting for the next flood to come over me and take me out to another incredible adventure.So I think it's normal and necessary to get some time to stand aside and later it's time to come back.

Yes, some of the bloggers that I follow seem to going through what you describe.

I don't use FaceBook or Twitter or participate in online chats. My blog is my only online "social" connection.

My blog keeps me motivated and focused on projects. I try not to let my readers' interests (what few there are) dictate what I post or how often I post. My blog records what I accomplish; although, I do find myself doing things that would be good blog subjects, things that I normally wouldn't do.

I have recently started to facebook, ut your readers are right. bloging is user friendier (sp) and its nice to sit down with your am beverage of choice and read what everyone else is doing. I have a blog and even though I dont post as much as I want. I do like sharing pictures when I have them. I have even put my battoes in the water doing a tutorial or two. great question! and I love your new header! (mauh) Liz

I enjoy reading a blog post, maybe leaving a comment, and maybe even writing a post.... I do prefer having taken the pressure off myself to post, as I really don't see the usefulness is stressing over being on-line. When things feel "stale" I usually go through my rrs agregator and trim the number of people I'm following, adding a few new ones as I come across them.... Being committed to personal privacy I don't belong to facebook or twitter nor do I want to; so while others may find blogging "stale" its still the online community for me...

Next week is my fourth year blogaversary..and there have been times when I thought about 'giving it away',..."am I getting stale", 'do I need to cut back', so now I just post when I have something to post about, I do love reading blogs and the interaction with other bloggers, seeing what they are doing and getting inspiration from them..Julia ♥

I still read a lot of blogs, but I don't post very often. I try to post only when I have something quilt related, and lately I haven't been quilting much. This is fine in my opinion, and when I start quilting avidly again, which I will, then I will post more frequently.

My goal in blogging is to have a record of my growth as I learn more and more about quilting. The fact that I am not posting a lot right now is merely a mirror of what is happening in my life, nd later when I look back I will find that to be a kind of "record", too.

The lovely "friends" I have made through my blogging is the icing on the cake!

I try hard to keep my blog fresh. Also to provide SOMETHING many can relate to, and try to be positive, and give something back in the way of humor, instructions, etc. While the comments count remains about the same, my counter is increasing. I don't find it a chore, I find it a pleasure, and an honor to speak to all of you. I am blessed to know many people visit, even if they don't comment. I don't Twitter, or Facebook or ??? This is it, ladies! 8-)))

I really enjoy blogging. I try very hard to respond to each comment. I feel is someone is going to take the time to read my blog then I should respond. I love reading other blogs for the inspiration. I usually spend time first thing in the morning reading and responding. I also facebook but that is more local friends and family. I tried my local guild and was very turned off so having a community of quilting bloggers is very important to me.

I've noticed the very same things you are mentioning. I just assumed people have been very busy over the summer and thought they would post more frequently once kids were back in school, etc.

I've only been able to post once or twice a week lately due to helping my friend at her store and job searching. Also, while I get a lot of inspiration from other blogs, and envy the amount of time some folks appear to have to spend on their crafts, I also feel less than productive than a lot of folks. I can't turn out projects very quickly and I want to enjoy the creative part of whatever I'm working on. So while blog surfing for inspiration, I end up feeling unworthy and not up to parr with others and consequently feel like I don't have anything "that interesting" to blog about.

Personally, I find blogging very inspirational and look forward to a good read or inspiration. I don't have a facebook nor do I twitter. I find blogging quite satisfying. I really thank those who blog for everything they have to offer.

Hey, come on - let's look at all the positives! Communication is a great skill and to do so amongst like-minded people is a bonus! I get lots of inspiration from Blogland, do learn a little each day about the world and it's people, keep up with technology to a small degree and get to enjoy laughing and crying with people - there's lots more to it, but those are reasons enough for me! I love being a people-person and feel quite at home in Blogland!Hugs - Lurline♥

I feel sometimes I've run out of stuff to say - and sometimes I feel that no one finds it interesting except my few reliable commenters. Not that I blog for comments - but it is nice to know someone noticed. I reply to every commment, unless they are no-reply - which saddens me, because often the are the most interesting comments.

I've deleted a lot of the blogs I usually read simply because I don't feel that they value their readers - no replies to the comments. I know not everyone can reply - but it is just politeness, IMHO. If someone takes the time to comment I can at least acknowledge it.

I have set myself up a sort of "blogging format". "Method Monday", "Take Home Tuesday", "Waxing Poetic Wednesday", that sort of thing. I found there was so much I wanted to say that I touched on a lot, but never really finished a sentence. I like blogging, but I won't say I won't ever miss a day, though I haven't missed any, yet.

I love blogs because it is a connection to quilters that I don't have in my real life. I love to see what other quilters are doing, love to hear about their work and their new projects. My only problem with blogs is when there are postings with children's pictures. It's a very dangerous thing to do in my opinion. Facebook supposedly can provide security (pics viewed by friends only) which is the only thing I would do. I like the food posts too. I used to cook a lot more than I do now.. In the blogging world I can go to quilt shows, and market, and read about books and see shops I might someday get to visit. Keep on blogging! No pressure to do it on a schedule! Just blog when the mood strikes.

I think sometimes life just gets in the way. I try to blog a couple of times a month. I find I could spend too many hours at the computer if I am not careful and then other things seem to suffer. I do enjoy reading blogs but I really don't want the pressure of feeling like it is another job. I do facebook but no twitter here. Thanks for the questions but I want to keep it a honeymoon.. not a job! Take care!

I have only been blogging for almost one year. It never occured to me to blog every day but I do try to post 2-3 times a week. I pretty much confine myself to quilting/sewing but occasionally will include what is going on in my life or the family. I don't get many comments but I made the decision that I would write as though there were hundreds of people who were interested in what I am doing: I do respond to all comments but it doesn't take too long to write back to 3-5 people, does it?

Very interesting reading. I go through stages with my blog, I go through bursts and then I let it go at times. I don't stress about too much or not enough, my blog is for me, a diary to look back on, the comments and sharing with other like minded people is a bonus.

I am too new of a blogger to have it be stale yet! I'm still excited to know there are hundreds of quilters' blogs out there to discover and enjoy. And, natch, the talented people to inspire and awe me! Posting isn't a chore though I do try to include a picture if I can. I post once or twice a week and try to keep my blogging positive, with a little humor and a sprinkle of my "real life" struggles. I reply to each commenter, just as I would like my comments replied to; I want to connect! Facebook doesn't really hold my interest like blogging does, though I have an acct and check on it once or twice a week. But I rarely comment there. Blogging has my heart!

Interesting topic Belinda. I think as summer fades into just a memory we may see more posts from those whom we love to read. As for replying, I've been at fault there on just a few occasions when time has gotten away from me, but I make an effort to reply within 24 hours of receiving the comment. I too have a facebook, but usually only use it to keep in contact with my kids in Australia. I never look at blogging as a chore. I enjoy doing little posts about what's happening in my little world, and look forward to reading what others are up to. If it weren't for blogger, my gosh I'd have very quiet days....)

I, too, have noticed the change. I LOVE blogging. I spent nearly 30 years of my life with a telephone glued to my ear with customers to help. They became very good friends. All of you in blogland have replaced them, and I treasure the friendships I have made. If someone doesn't blog for a few days, I MISS them! My blog is also a personal journal. My life is so full and sometimes crazy, I hope that one day my kids will want to read it and laugh. I don't like Facebook or Twitter. Blogging is the best. And, it appears you hit a note with your questions.

I am coming back. It's just that I've lost all oommppphh to quilt so haven't got anything to show. Also the connection speed is so naff that it becomes a chore rather than a pleasure (this window has taken 10 minutes load!).

Problem getting sorted - hope to be on broadband via satellite by the end of next week.

I'm not a techo person--an on/off switch is about as complicated as I like things! I don't do facebook or twitter--the computer is enough for me. I blog for the enjoyment and inspiration I get from others and am thrilled to know readers enjoy what I have to share. It's truly been like one big international quilt guild. Perhaps some bloggers just need a break to reenergize!

I have noticed some of the blogs I like to read slowing down on listing new content but I figured it’s because of summer; once winter hits people will have more free time on their hands. Also, it could be they have run out of ideas; I know for me some days I just do not know what to blog about and I am pretty sure blogging everyday about canning the same tomatoes and green beans would quickly become “stale”.

During the slow time I like to search out new blogs and enjoy reading their archives; by doing this I get my daily “blog fix”.

I don't have a blog so my comment is only from the reader's viewpoint. I took a 5 year "vacation" from quilting and decided during Christmas break that it was time to quilt again so step one in my plan of action was to read quilt blogs. I love getting a glimpse into each quilter's studio around the world to watch their progress and see their stash and build relationships. kelley secrest

I guess my blogging can be described as stale - I am still reading a lot (too much, but I can't decide what to cull). I am probably stale because of a lull in my productivity... I hope to fix that soon.

I love blogging, but find myself not having enough to blog about. I work full-time, so my time available to quilt is at a minimum. I always wonder how SOME people have so much time to quilt and show all that they do on their blogs. When do you do these projects, people? Do you have a maid? Cleaning lady? Chef? Nanny?

I enjoy reading blogs and I'm stillkinda new to blogging myself butI think it's a great way to discoverother quilters etc., from aroundthe world and see what they're working on.I have learned so much from bloggers;many have tutorials, give you tips,ideas - bloggers are very givingpeople! I also belong to Facebookand I don't think you can compareit to blogging. Although it's a good networking system.Personally, I feel that blogginghelps me "get my act" together.It's helping me finish my UFOs,diminishes my scraps & my stash etc.I find other bloggers such aninspiration!

I have been blogging about a year now and I really enjoy reading other's blogs. I don't do facebook or twitter because having a blog is enough for me. I was doing a post just about every day but now I try to limit myself on the computer just because my body does like to sit very long plus I would rather be sewing.I respond to just about every comment that is left on my blog. Some never respond to my comments but that is okay. I still enjoy reading their blogs. I will do like Teresa and take several letters of the alphabet and read those blogs one day and the next time I am on the computer take a another set of letters. There is a lot of inspiration out there for me and I have made several friends through blogging.

i watched and waited a long time before i started my blog. mostly wanting to document thoughts and pictures about my sewing. because for many years i had not even taken a picture of what i made. and many projects have long since been forgotten. so expectations from readers is something that i still don't understand. i think there is a natural wave going on. a small environment of ideas has turned into a place with too many ideas. and i am not complaining. but it forces us to place value on what we post. and value on what we read. i thoroughly enjoy the mingling of new bloggers with the experienced. and if a blogger wants to slow things down for any reason that's o.k. with me.

I love my blog - for what it does for me! It give me the freedom to write when I want about what I want and I don't know that I'd take the chance if I didn't have a blog! I've been at it for 2 years and I seem to post about 5 or 6 times a week! That's crazy, I know, but my kids are grown, my grandson lives a million miles away, and I have time...maybe that will change but it's been so much fun that I hope not!

A lot to think about here. I don't think anybody posts their second year of blogging as much as they do their first year ... I still like it a lot, but I'm over kind of thinking that everybody wants to know everything about my life. I probably post less about "other" stuff and more on my vintage stuff, because that's what people seem to like best. I don't facebook or twitter because I don't want to spend that much time with technology. And I think the economy in some respects might have something to do with it - I'm working more, so less goof-off time. But I miss blogging when I'm away from it - it's a really good creative outlet for me sometimes. (Oh, and on replying to comments - I try to keep up, but it gets impossible, and I'm having trouble with the new comment feature on Typepad. I really don't expect a comment back from every comment I leave.)

Oh Belinda, you have asked some really good questions. I love to blog, but have found my time has really put a damper on it lately. But I do hope to start back up and I think with the cool weather and people staying in it will come back. Everyone will be making gifts for the Holiday's and posting about them, just wait. I miss posting almost everday and reading the comments. No one can say they don't get excited when they read the comments, even if it's the same as "Beautiful work or cute quilt". I have been doing more sewing the past couple of days and it feels great.I know I probably don't blog the correct way. I go to people's blog and comment, but I don't always comment to the one's that have left comments on my blog. Does that make since. If they do make a comment, I then visit them and usually leave a comment on their blog. Hope they understand this way, it cuts out emailing and just visiting which is what I like to do. Now, I need to read what all everyone else is saying. I do miss the blogs that posted everyday and has slowed down.Keep Stitchen'Bonnie

I enjoy blogging most of the time...I don't like it when I lose my 'balance' and it takes over... but I've become pretty good at working that out recently.

For me it's a yes!The lovely people I've met and the things I've learned and the very real friends I've made...the opportunities I've been given.....and on it goes.. all the good stuff!hugs to you,Robyn xx

Hia Belinda, I've changed how I blog recently due to time constraints. When people leave me a comment I am commenting back, but unless I have time on my hands, I am visiting bloggers on my roll bar less. I think there is a danger of feeling like you only have a 1 way friendship if you are commenting on someone's blog and they don't visit yours at all.

Having said that I'm not a big one for emailing someone a "thank you for your comment". I've usually visited their blog to find out more about them and what they are making and talk to them through their comments section.

Am I making much sense? Blogging has to stay fun for me or I would feel bogged down and stop.

I think that many are just not spending as much time inside during the warmer seasons. And long time bloggers may indeed be less motivated to post as often. But I keep discovering new blogs every week so my blogroll just keeps growing. I don't like Facebook much. Blogs are so much better.

As for comments, I don't leave them often but try to always reply to any left on my blog. I love the sense of community and friendship blogging has given me. If some of my favorite bloggers stop posting I will miss them as "friends" but there are so many new bloggers that offer new inspiration and enthusiasm to take the place of those who have run out of steam.

I hope people don't stop blogging. It's the only way I can get through my boring day job. My own blogging has slowed a little due to working 2 jobs recently, but I try to at least post something twice a month. I really admire those of you who blog every day. I don't know what I'd do at work without my blog visiting.

I wish I blogged more but I also wonder who is reading it. My friends stop by but they don't comment because they dont' know how. Then I will notice someone else is following along...so I will continue. I plan to continue and to be a better blogger and keep it focused on quilting.

I closed my blog down. I had some followers and I kept trying to keep it light and moving in the right direction. I started to get no comments and all of a sudden no one posted. Noticed my followers were cancelling me as a person they wanted to watch. So I felt I wasn't contributing enough. I don't feel numbers were an issue. I feel a couple were friends on other blogs and they were gossiping through emails. I really liked blogging and I also enjoy reading blogs about quilting and crafting. Maybe I will try again at another time. Maybe it wasn't my time to get involved. But I hope you still post a blog as you have been doing. Thank you for your blog. Chris

Good questions...very similar to questions I have asked myself as I've started this journey called "blogging". I used to feel pressured to blog a certain amount and obsessed over how many comments I got...which led to feeling the pressure to spend far too much time on the internet...leaving comments leads to receiving comments etc. I finally realized that I just don't have the time to worry about it, and when I truly thought it through I realized how silly it was lol (me obsessing that is). I love my kids, and then I love quilting, reading, cooking, hanging out with my friends and blogging, everything(except my kiddos are always #1) changes order but blogging remains pretty much last on the list. I have to make sure that I don't get so immersed in the internet that I let my first loves suffer. When I am blogging and reading blogs too much I feel the effects on the other areas of my life and I don't like it. So I try to check a few blogs daily and most blogs once a week and just blog when I truly want too and that is working for me. Well except like the past few weeks when I have just completely spaced and not opened my bloglines even once, but I had back to back quilting classes for a a week and then I went into bookworm mode so there you go :) I have a facebook and a twitter but I don't really use them...the idea of telling people what I'm doing every hour or worse having to know what other people are doing every hour is not for me lol!! I love that log cabin your friend made, so cute!!!

I read blogs for a long time and then joined in. I really enjoy the whole thing. It makes quilting and creating a little less lonely...for lack of a better word. I talk to blogland as I sew and think about what I'm going to share....It's show and tell everyday of the week!

Since I just now discovered this blogging phenomenon, I haven't found it stale yet. I am still finding new and interesting blogs to check out everyday. I can't keep up with them. Maybe at some point I will find it a chore, but for now I am having a lot of fun. I have noticed that I am spending WAY too much time on the computer. On the other hand, I have found so many new project ideas and have learned so much that I think it has balanced out. I have increased my "productivity" as a result. I just now found your blog and love it. Thanks.

I have time to blog since I don't have kids at home but I don't want to be scratching around for something to blog for the sake of it. I'd bore myself so I'd rather wait and do something that's blogworthy to me. It's all about keeping it enjoyable for me so that it doesn't become a burden and remains the pleasure it has been.

I love reading the blogs and have learned so much from my fellow bloggers and made some friends that some day I hope to meet. It can become overwhelming to stay on top of every one that I like to follow, so that is where my schedule has helped me to enjoy reading blogs again, and savoring each one, without feeling like I need to hurry and move on to the next. I can't begin to count all the wonderful ideas and inspiration and techniques I have gathered from my blogging friends.

Twitter is fun because it is fast. Yes. I've cut back on my posts, too. And I don't always reply to comments. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends. My problem is that if I don't do something all the way then I feel badly about it. And I can't blog all the way anymore. So I do feel guilty. But I shouldn't and I know it. Blogging still pushes me to keep me moving and I love that. I want to be pushed and Love to be inspired by other blogs. So it is hard. I don't always leave comments anymore when I read a blog. I let my reader get fat before I tackle it somedays. But this is the only way I've found I can do it so until I change (and aren't we constantly!) I'll just do everything half-assed!!

Blogs offer things that twitter and Facebook don't -- I love the photos, comments, openness, and varied forms posts take. But it does get overwhelming. Every now and then, I step back because I just don't have the energy. But I miss it when I do, and always come back.

Belinda, this has been very informative.. reading everyone's comments. I really think you struck a nerve in a lot of us. And I am so glad to read that I am not the only one who doesn't email a reply to all the comments left for me. I do like Melanie, and pay the commenter a visit to her blog and leave a comment for her. I just never seem to have time OR desire to email and answer to every comment plus visit their blog. But as far as blogging myself.. I still like it but have cut back tremendously. I do Facebook too.. but that is mostly for old classmates and family.. and playing games which I admit to doing.It was great reading everyone's thoughts here.

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